RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing National American Indian Heritage Month (As Revised)
Body
WHEREAS, the word Chicago is believed to be derived from the Algonquian word “Checagou”, which is the name used to refer to the Chicago River because of the stinky wild leeks that grew in the area; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1830s, many Native tribes left the Chicago area as a result of the Black Hawk War of 1832 and the Treaty of Chicago in 1833. With the passage of the Indian Relocation Act of 1956, Chicago saw a resurgence in its Native population, as the Act’s purpose was to integrate Native Americans into urban areas; and
WHEREAS, as one of the original relocation sites, a thriving intertribal community began to form in Chicago. Currently, there are an estimated 65,000 Native Americans who live in the Chicago metropolitan area, representing approximately 175 tribal nations; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the monumental contributions made by Native Americans, on August 3, 1990, President George H. W. Bush issued House Joint Resolution 577 designating November 1990 National American Indian Heritage Month. Since 1994, similar resolutions have been issued annually; and
WHEREAS, the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (NACC-IL) seeks to create an environment where various participants can discuss and analyze innovative ideas to assist American Indian businesses in their quest for success; and
WHEREAS, in achieving its goal, NACC-IL believes that it is empowering upcoming generations of Native Americans by providing the resources and knowledge to form partnerships which will propel them into a productive future; and
WHEREAS, the District is committed to continuing to work towards diversity and inclusion, and the District recognizes the contributions of our Native American staff members, including the work that they do to serve the diverse municipalities that lie within the District’s borders; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby recognize National American Indian Heritage Month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois.
Dated: November 19, 2020